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UD MH WCX** DDHF VCX OS (8/30/2007-2/21/2020)
Manny was a wonderful example of what a Golden Retriever is all about – a good hunting dog with classic good looks, type and intelligence topped off with a perfect Golden temperament. He was a silly, affectionate boy who loved people and never met a dog he didn’t like. He was always working the crowd by showing people his latest toy while whining or as we like to call it “talking”. He was a big talker which was passed down from his great grandfather Whirly.
Sometimes he would forget his manners which led to a few embarrassing moments, like the time we had just finished a hunt test in Vermont. My friends and I were sitting in a circle relaxing after a long day running dogs while waiting for the steward to announce callbacks (the list of participants who will be moving onto the next part of the test). I had just let Manny out of the truck to stretch and hang out for a bit – which of course he was thrilled with. He walked up to each person with his stuffed toy hanging from his mouth but lingered at one lady in particular. She was giving him lots of attention and he was loving it when all of a sudden he dropped his toy, put his feet up on her lap and proceeded to put his head down her shirt! I sprang up to get him off her but everyone had already seen the incident. Thankfully, she wasn’t offended and we all had a good laugh over it.
Manny was an exceptional teammate who was completely owner trained and handled in field and obedience.
- He earned his AKC breed Championship with 5 Major wins, a Best of Breed (BOB) and a Group 1st.
- In conformation he earned: 3 BOB wins, 2 Specialty wins, Best Veteran in Specialty, has 16 Grand Champion points (all majors) and 5 Show Dog Hall of Fame points.
- In AKC obedience he has been the highest scoring dog in trial (HIT) his first time in Novice with a 199 (out of 200) and is a Utility Dog.
- He was the recipient of Yankee Golden Retriever Club’s (YGRC) Junior and Senior Hunter trophies in 2009.
- He was an AKC Master Hunter and UKC Hunting Retriever Champion.
- He was awarded a 4th and a Reserve Jam in an AKC (all breed owner handled) Qualifying stake.
- He was a Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA): Dual Dog Hall of Fame, Outstanding Sire, Working Certificate Excellent and Versatile Certificate Excellent.
- He was the 5th Champion, Master Hunter, ** (field trial placement) in GRCA history.
- He was the recipient of the YGRC’s Bliss Glazebrook’s Versatile Golden Retriever trophy and Bench trophy in 2014.
- He was the recipient of the GRCA Bill Lester Trophy in both 2013 and 2014.
- He was the co-recipient of the CH/AFC Lorelei Golden Rockbottom UD trophy in 2014 (last awarded in 2005).
- He was a certified therapy dog registered with Therapy Dogs International.
After all our years together training and competing, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the human-canine connection, but when my son Kevin died in 2015, I learned the true power of a dog’s love and what it is capable of.
Manny was my constant companion during those dark months supporting me in a way I can only describe as saving me.
After Kevin’s passing Manny and I changed our focus and became a therapy dog team certified with Therapy Dog International. He accompanied me on hospice visits and was a bright spot in the Merrimack Home Health and Hospice’s Good Grief program for kids who have lost a parent. He was a complete natural with the kids and they loved him. We were also regulars at our local library where we started a reading program for kids, which he did right up until his passing at 12.5 years old.
Manny High in Trial with a score of 199